'In The Kitchen With Dinah'

Stages of Freedom, a bookstore at 10 Westminster St. in downtown Providence, presents “Someone’s in the Kitchen with Dinah: An Exhibit of African Kitchen Collectibles’’.

The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, runs through Saturday, March 30. Stages of Freedom’s hours are Tuesdays-Fridays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays 12-5 p.m.

The exhibit spans 100 years of collectibles depicting African Americans in both negative and

positive images. Drawn from Onna Moniz-John’s collection, the exhibit includes dishes, advertising, food containers, dish towels and much more.

Known now as Black memorabilia, many of these items were created in Japan, Germany and the United States for nationwide markets.

The items are a physical reminder of entrenched racism in our country and how African Americans have been denigrated through such stereotypical images as watermelon-eating, pitch-black complexions and exaggerated features.

Stages of Freedom is dedicated to presenting African American events for the entire community.

Contact is Ray Rickman (401) 421-0606; stagesoffreedom@aol.com